Fox News' 2009 Ratings Records: Network Sees Best Year Ever

The News Corp-owned cable news outlet has just finished its best year among total viewers in its 13-plus year history.

Fox News averaged 2.187 million total viewers in primetime for the year, up 7% from 2008 and enough to place 3rd among all cable channels. In total day, the network averaged 1.192 million total viewers, up 13% from 2008 and enough to place 5th among all cable channels. In the A25-54 demo, the network was up as well: its 540,000 A25-54 total in weekday primetime is up 9% from 2008, and its 319,000 A25-54 weekday total-day average is up 16% from 2008.

Both CNN and MSNBC, meanwhile, are down significantly in all categories.

On the program level, Fox News took the top 10 programs in cable news for the year. "The O'Reilly Factor" again took first place and registered its highest viewers numbers ever, averaging 3.329 million total viewers (up 14% from 2008) and 801,000 A25-54 viewers (up 28%). "Hannity" came in second with an average of 2.502 million total viewers (up 14%) and 654,000 A25-54 viewers (up 22%), also its highest numbers ever in both categories. "Glenn Beck" placed third with 2.320 million total viewers (up 91%) and 581,000 A25-54 viewers (up 135%).

But its not just the network's conservative opinion commentators that are having their best years ever. The network's signature news programs — "Special Report with Bret Baier," "The Fox Report with Shepard Smith," "Studio B with Shepard Smith," and "Your World with Neil Cavuto" — also had their best years ever among total viewers.